I have a thread running on Twitter at the moment on “low-tech” advice about working from home. This will appear on this blog soon (and all I can say at present is that ironing boards are featuring a lot). I…

Continuing with the series on useful links, her are links to useful links for businesses. The British Chambers of Commerce has a Coronavirus Hub. This provides information based on official guidance from the UK government and it is amended as and…

I will be providing regular updates on useful links. Here we look at useful guides and links for the self-employed. BBC News reports that new measures will be unveiled for self-employed workers facing financial difficulties as a result of coronavirus later…

I am grateful to John McQuater, solicitor, for sending me copies of model letters for use in the current crisis. The first is for the client, the other to the other side in litigation. Emergency 1 – Letter to client…

Further guidance has been issued by the Queens’ Bench Division in relation to hearings before QB Masters. CORONAVIRUS BULLETIN 2 “In the light of the developments of the last 48 hours, the situation has changed from the communication sent out…

One question asked after I gave a webinar this morning was whether it is possible for the parties to agree an extension of time for service of the claim form. The brief answer is – yes it is. Care has…

One major difficulty that faces all litigators at present is how to get witness statements signed. Here are a few ideas. E-SIGNATURES MAY BE VALID There is no binding authority on this issue. However the decision of District Judge…

Last week Medco issued a ban on remote video medical examinations. Today it has changed its mind, in an announcement available here. THE ANNOUNCEMENT REMOTE EXAMINATIONS With immediate effect and until further notice the ban on remote video medical…

Earlier today I tweeted “Anyone want to join me in an “open letter” to the Civil Procedure Rule Committee (& anyone else who will listen). We need guidance NOW to allow the parties to agree open-ended extensions of time. This…

The Association of British Insurer’s website carries details of a Protocol put in place to deal with the COVID-19 situation. There is a list of signatories on the site, that list also contains the “escalation email address” and hotline number…

39 Essex Chambers have sent me a model Agreed Procedural Template for Joint Settlement Meetings held remotely and kindly said I can share it. This is available on their website – here. “The parties to a remote JSM agree…

The explanatory notes to the Coronavirus Bill have a detailed explanation of the plans for the expansion of live links in court proceedings, particularly criminal proceedings. Clause 51 and Schedule 22 Expansion of availability of live links in criminal proceedings…

The Law Society has a specific advice page on Coronavirus available here. There have been comments this morning about some firms insisting staff attend work. It is worthwhile reading the Law Society advice. “If you refuse to allow…

In an astonishingly short amount of time Mr Justice MacDonald has written The Remote Access Family Guide. It is available on the link here (It downloads as a document onto your computer). VERSION 1 It is emphasised that this…

HHJ Gosnell has issued a Listing Protocol covering procedure in the county court North and West Yorkshire or in the District Registry of the Queen’s Bench Division in Leeds” Note, in particular, the adjournment of all ongoing possession proceedings. …

James M Turner QC has prepared an EBundling Guide to help advocates and other deal with the issue of preparing bundles. This is a task we may all have to come to terms with in the very near future. The…

Once resource we can freely use is help from friends and colleagues on social media. I asked the good people of Twitter to give advice about working from home. Here are some of the replies (I may have missed some…

I am grateful to Chesca Lord from Cloisters for pointing out and sending me a link to the post “Making virtual hearings in the Employment Tribunal work.” This is available here. VIDEO GUIDANCE This includes a 15 minute video guide…

I made Ishan Kolhatkar Civil Litigation Brief “Lawyer of the Year” last year for the wonderful work he did on the Billable Hour cookbook. Ish is a man of many talents. He has now sent me links to the webcasts…